A Year of Blessing and a Hopeful New Beginning

Dear Parish Family: The Feast of the Holy Family is significant for us because we have an opportunity to embrace their faith, hope, and love, which carried them through challenging times – Mary even treasured these things in her heart at she reflected on God’s providence and her unfolding personal relationship with Jesus. As we approach the end of this year and look forward to the new one, let us take inspiration from their example, knowing that God is with us in every step of our journey as a parish family.

Rejoicing in Our Blessings

This past year has been filled with moments of grace, generosity, and growth. One of the highlights among many was our first annual Parish Service Day (PSD) which took place at the end of National Volunteers’ Week – PSD is a new annual opportunity for us to come together in faith and action to offer the gift of our service to others. This day was not only about helping others but also about encouraging every parishioner who is able to serve in ministry according to their giftedness as a sign of our growing love for Jesus. Seeing new and existing parishioners, young and old, offer their service was a powerful witness to our growing mission as a community of disciples. It was a day that truly embodied what it means to live out the Gospel and share Christ’s love of service.

We also witnessed peoples’ incredible generosity through various successful fundraising drives. Whether it was supporting families in need through St Vincent de Paul, contributing to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Ignite Conference, or the Catholic Campaign, your willingness of generosity was amazing. This generosity is not only a practical help to our parish and broader community but a profound sign of the faith and love that live within you. For this, I offer my deepest thanks – you are a blessing!

Throughout this year, we have continued to build the parish office administration structure to better support our communities and mission. As well as our established staff of Vicki and Edgar, we now have volunteer Administrators (Vivienne, Mary and Cristina) a volunteer Operations Manager (Steve Kay), a volunteer Office Manager (Don Rolls), a new paid Administrator (Amelia Willmer), a paid Mission Coordinator (Beth Davies), a volunteer Volunteers Coordinator (Trish Harding), and a volunteer team working on Compliance and Onboarding-of-Volunteers (Donna Bradshaw, Sue Hawes, and Karen Mewburn).

Moving Forward in Faith

Of course, we recognize that the upcoming changes to our Mass times in the new year will not be easy for everyone. Change often brings uncertainty, discomfort, and even a sense of loss. It is natural to experience elements of the grieving process as we adjust to these changes—grief over traditions, routines, and familiar places. Yet, let us remember that we are not broken. Jesus took humanity’s brokenness to the Cross and, through His death and resurrection, freed us to choose faith, hope, and love in all circumstances. When we face challenges, we are invited to turn our hearts toward Him, the source of our strength and peace. If you are struggling with these changes, please know that you are not alone. As your parish leader, I am here to walk with you, listen to your concerns, and offer support in whatever way I can. I encourage you to reach out – to both your fellow parishioners, to our parish staff, and to me personally – if you need someone to talk to or if you need help adjusting. Together, we can navigate this transition with faith, patience, and understanding.

While we may experience some challenges, let us not lose sight of what remains constant: God is with us in the Christmas Season especially! Jesus Christ, who came to us as a tiny child in Bethlehem, continues to dwell among us, guiding us, strengthening us, and calling us forward. The changes we face are opportunities to trust more deeply in His plan and to open ourselves to what He may be asking of us as   individuals and as a parish. Perhaps He is inviting us to grow in ways we do not yet see, to build new relationships, to discover new ministries, or to deepen our reliance on Him.

A Blessing for the New Year

As we continue to celebrate the birth of Christ and prepare to enter this new chapter in our parish, let us do so with hearts full of hope, gratitude, and peace. Like the Holy Family, who trusted in God through every trial, may we also embrace the uncertainties of life with courage and faith. Let us rejoice in all that God has done in our midst this year: the acts of service, the spirit of generosity, and the commitment to building a vibrant parish community where all can encounter Jesus.

This year, we gave thanks for our Year of Invitation, a time of reaching out and encouraging others to join us on this journey of faith. As we look to the new Jubilee Year of 2025, I am excited to announce that we will embark on a Year of Engagement – a time to deepen our commitment, strengthen our ministries, and actively accompany one another in encountering Jesus. Let us move forward together, inspired by God’s call to love, serve, and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. May the Lord Jesus bless you and your loved ones abundantly in this season of Christmas and in the year to come. May His peace reign in your hearts, His joy fill your homes, and His light guide your steps. If you find yourself in need, do not hesitate to lean on your parish family who are here for you.

With gratitude for all you are and all you do, and with prayers for a joyful and hope-filled new year,  Fr Josh.